I was under the impression that saints’ relics are supposed to be in the altar somewhere.

At my in-laws’ parish, they have a relic of their patron saint displayed in the foyer, under a large holy water fountain surmounted by a statue of the saint herself. It looks to me like a bone chip. It’s in a circular case fronted with either glass or plastic.

I was under the impression that saints’ relics are supposed to be in the altar somewhere.

At my in-laws’ parish, they have a relic of their patron saint displayed in the foyer, under a large holy water fountain surmounted by a statue of the saint herself. It looks to me like a bone chip. It’s in a circular case fronted with either glass or plastic.

Is this OK? It just seems sort of… I dunno… a little irreverent.

we have a glass case where 5 relics are kept for veneration. ( i think thats the correct word?) i do a lot of praying in front of them. 2 of the relics are of the true cross. the other 3 saints./COLOR]

I was under the impression that saints’ relics are supposed to be in the altar somewhere.

At my in-laws’ parish, they have a relic of their patron saint displayed in the foyer, under a large holy water fountain surmounted by a statue of the saint herself. It looks to me like a bone chip. It’s in a circular case fronted with either glass or plastic.

Is this OK? It just seems sort of… I dunno… a little irreverent.

They are to be treated with great respect and secured in some manner, so that they may not simply “walk off” and be lost or mistreated.

I was under the impression that saints’ relics are supposed to be in the altar somewhere.

Every altar must have some relics in it, but not all relics must be placed in an altar.

Here in Europe it’s quite common to see relics on display, especially in older (mediaeval) churches. They’re rarely seen in 19th-20th century churches but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be, notwithstanding previous comment about security and respect.

You quite often get them on display in older (Catholic) schools, universities, seminaries etc.

Every altar must have some relics in it, but not all relics must be placed in an altar.

Here in Europe it’s quite common to see relics on display, especially in older (mediaeval) churches. They’re rarely seen in 19th-20th century churches but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be, notwithstanding previous comment about security and respect.

You quite often get them on display in older (Catholic) schools, universities, seminaries etc.

Really? Wow, I did not know that! But they still usually do, right? I’ve only been to 2 churches’ dedications but they both had relics placed in the altar; would it be common not to do this? Is this just something the American bishops have ruled on, or is it universal?